Hearts Across Halls

Chapter 8

It had been two weeks since the kitchen incident with Charlie, yet the regret Elara had anticipated never came. Instead, she found herself spending more time with him, going on almost-dates and enjoying his company. She had made it clear to him that she didn't want anything more than friendship, and he respected her wishes, never asking for more. Despite her intentions, after a few drinks when they were out together, she often found herself giving him a small peck. She couldn't explain her behaviour, despite trying to to her roommates and Sophie. All she could say was that it felt nice to have companionship without the worries of commitment.

Elara was unsure what Charlie thought of their arrangement. In the past, he had been the one to push for more, but she assumed he was content with how things were now. They weren't shy about showing some affection in public. For example, when Charlie left the classroom and Elara was waiting outside for her class to start, he would pat her on the head or brush a hand through her hair, right in view of her classmates. Even Cyrus had noticed this behaviour and looked absolutely disgusted.

"Was that your boyfriend?" a girl asked as she and Elara took their seats next to each other.

"Oh no, he's just a friend," Elara responded with a smile, noting Cyrus looking even more disgusted and confused. Elara didn't care, though. People didn't seem to understand their relationship, and that was okay-it wasn't for others to judge. It was for her and Charlie only.

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"Charlie's finally coming out with us tonight?" Emmy asked excitedly.

"Yes! Just for you - he finally caved," Elara laughed.

"I don't know why he's so opposed to going out, especially with us... we're super fun."

"Well, he is older and not a first-year like us. I guess he's all partied out."

"Aww, I hope I don't become like that. I want to party every year," Kenzie chimed in.

The girls laughed before the mood turned serious, and they all focused on perfecting their makeup.

Once Kenzie finished her eyeliner, she suddenly asked, "So how do you think Luca's gonna react to Charlie?"

"What do you mean?" Elara stared at her in confusion.

Kenzie exchanged knowing looks with the other girls before continuing, "You know... like... he's clearly into you."

"Oh my god, no he's not! He's just my friend, and your friend too."

"Yeah, but he's never flirted with any of us," Emmy sniggered.

"Or bit any of us" Rachel added.

"He was just drunk," Elara sighed and rolled her eyes. The others exchanged a silent look before refocusing on getting ready.

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Once again, everyone was gathered in Elara's kitchen. It was the go-to pre-drinking spot, made popular by the fact that most of the residents loved a party.

So far, it was just Elara, the girls, and Charlie-probably to his horror because they were already bombarding him with personal questions.

"Is Australia hot all the time?" Kenzie slurred, already affected by the many shots she had done while getting ready.

"Erm, nope-we have seasons still," Charlie replied, bemused, stretching his arms up and resting one on the back of Elara's chair. At that moment, Luca and his friends walked in.

Elara felt a slight twinge of guilt as she met Luca's eyes, which immediately darted to Charlie.

The feeling soon subsided as she reminded herself she was doing nothing wrong; she was a free agent and could do as she pleased.

The night continued with lots of drunken games, funny stories, and an obscene amount of singing. Elara was suitably merry, and Charlie seemed to be the same. Luca, however, wore a sour expression the entire evening, which started to make Elara feel guilty again.

She wasn't sure why he was acting this way; it's not like they had talked or even seen each other in the past couple of weeks.

Elara was quickly pulled out of her daydream by Rachel shouting, "We're hitting the road in ten minutes, people!"

This announcement caused a frenzy at the table, with people suddenly downing their almost full drinks.

"I'm just gonna go to the bathroom quickly," Elara quietly said to Charlie, whose arm had somehow ended up resting on her shoulder and fell as she stood up.

She felt Luca's eyes follow her as she left the kitchen, only feeling hidden once she retreated into her room.

Not even five minutes later, Elara was leaving her room when a figure in the hallway made her jump.

"You disappear for a few weeks and come back with a boyfriend?" It was Luca, and he was smirking.

Elara rolled her eyes. "He is definitely not my boyfriend."

"Does he know that?" Luca asked, stepping closer. Elara's eyes darted toward the kitchen door, which had a semi-clear piece of glass, meaning people could easily see them. Luckily, everyone was too occupied drinking to pay them any mind.

"Yes, we're just friends," Elara reiterated for the hundredth time to the hundredth person

"I'm keeping an eye on you," Luca said, resting his hand on Elara's waist and giving it a small squeeze before retreating back into the kitchen.

Elara stood there frozen for a moment, her waist almost burning where he had touched it, butterflies fluttering deep in her belly. She had felt quite warm before, but now she found herself with goosebumps all over her arms.

Get it together, Elara.

She breathed out shakily and then entered the kitchen, hoping the time in between her and Luca entering didn't seem suspicious. Her eyes caught Charlie's, who was beaming at her, and suddenly she was starting to feel guilty again.